British Airways launched its biggest pilot recruitment drive in more than a decade yesterday, unveiling plans to hire more than 800 new pilots by 2016.

The airline said the new hires would come via three recruitment programmes, including a joint initative with the UK armed forces to give military pilots a chance to make a career in commercial aviation.

BA will also recruit qualified pilots from other airlines, and help people to train as airline pilots for the first time via its "Future Pilot Programme".